Muscle Beach
Muscle Beach | |
---|---|
California Department of Parks and Recreation | |
Muscle Beach is the birthplace of the United States physical fitness boom, which started in 1934 with predominantly gymnastics activities on the south side of the Santa Monica Pier.[1] Muscle Beach Venice is the contemporary title of the outdoor weightlifting platform constructed in Venice, California, a distinct neighborhood in the city of Los Angeles, 18 years after Muscle Beach was established.
History
Original Muscle Beach
Muscle Beach dates back to the 1930s when the New Deal agency
In 1989, the City of
Muscle Beach Venice
Muscle Beach Venice was officially titled in 1987 by the City of Los Angeles with the distinguishing name "Venice" added to the location to honor the original Santa Monica site.[5]
By the 1950s, Muscle Beach established worldwide fame and helped to popularize and bring legitimacy to physical culture with acrobatics and bodybuilding.[6]
Today it is an open playground with a gated area that encloses weightlifting equipment. The second area is a sand box with gymnastic, rope climbing, and acrobatic bars. The City does charge a fee to use the outdoor gym.[7]
See also
- Physical culture
- Joe Weider, body builder
- Max Yavno, photographer
- Muscle Beach by Ira Wallach
References
- ^ Pool, Bob (2 October 1999). "Santa Monica Shows Off a Restored Muscle Beach". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ Knapp, Dan (28 November 2005). "New Acquisition Pumps USC Up". USC News.
- ^ Matzer, Marla (22 February 1998). "The Venus of Muscle Beach". Los Angeles Times.
- ISSN 0037-7333.
- ^ a b Harvey, Steve (1 June 1987). "A Banished Beach Works Out in Venice". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ Harvey, Steve (30 March 1986). "Mussel or Muscle : Whatever You Call It, It's a Beach That's Not Forgotten by Its Many Devotees". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ "Muscle Beach Venice Outdoor Gym". www.laparks.org. City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks. Retrieved 2021-09-01.